Pacing in Long-Distance Running: Sex and Age Differences in 10-km Race and Marathon

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Running Biomechanics

Background:

• Mass-participation running events provide data for non-elite runner analysis.
• Existing literature lacks direct pacing comparisons between 10-km and marathon races using such data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pacing strategies between 10-km runners and marathoners.
• To investigate the influence of sex and age on pacing in these running events.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of official results from the Oslo marathon (n=8828) and 10-km race (n=16,315) from 2015-2018.
• Statistical comparison of pacing strategies across different race distances, sexes, and age groups.

Main Results:

• Both 10-km and marathon runners employed positive pacing strategies (slowing down in the latter part of the race).
• Women exhibited less significant pace reduction in marathons compared to men (9.85% vs. 12.70%), but this difference was not observed in 10-km races (3.99% vs. 3.38%).
• Pace changes were more pronounced in the youngest and oldest marathoner age groups (12.55%) compared to middle age groups (10.96%).

Conclusions:

• Pacing strategies differ between 10-km and marathon running.
• Sex influences marathon pacing, with women slowing less than men.
• Age is a factor in marathon pacing, with younger and older runners showing greater variations.
• Training programs should be tailored differently for marathoners versus shorter long-distance runners.